Cosmetic container with magnetic closure

ABSTRACT

A cosmetic container with a self-aligning magnetic closure. The cosmetic container can include a cap with a first magnetic portion and an applicator including a plug, and a receptacle for receiving product therein, the receptacle having a second magnetic portion configured to engage with the first magnetic portion, and an access aperture configured to receive the applicator. In some implementations, one of the cap or the receptacle includes at least one cam feature and the other of the cap or the receptacle includes at least one recess configured to receive the at least one cam feature.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application claims priority to and the benefit under to 35 U.S.C.119(e) to U.S. provisional application 62/628,128, filed Feb. 8, 2018and entitled “Cosmetic Container with Self-Aligning Magnetic Closure,”the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference forall purposes.

BACKGROUND

Containers, such as cosmetic containers containing lip gloss, mascara,eye liner, concealer, creams, gels, or other similar products, mayinclude two components that attach to one another for closure, where onecomponent has an applicator for applying the cosmetic that is receivedin the other component, such as a vial, containing product. The twocomponents are joined at a closure. A seal in the closure of thecosmetic containers preserves the product in the vial, which in somecases, may be of high value. In one example, one component may have athreaded neck on one end and the other component has mating threads sothat it can repeatedly screw on and off during use.

SUMMARY

The disclosed technology includes a cosmetic container with aself-aligning sealing system between two components of the container.The cosmetic container may be used for storing various products, such aslip gloss, mascara, eye liner, concealer, creams, or gels. Specifically,the cosmetic container includes a first component having a bodyconfigured to store a cosmetic and a first magnet, wherein the bodyincludes an open end providing access to a product in the interior ofthe body. The cosmetic container also includes a second component havinga cap and a second magnet configured to engage with the first magnet. Insome implementations, the cap includes an inner cap and/or anapplicator, optionally with a plug. In some implementations, the bodyincludes a collar and/or a wiper, with the applicator accessing theinterior of the body via the wiper. In some implementations, theinterface between the inner cap and the body includes at least onestructural feature, such as a cam feature, which upon rotation of thecap in relation to the body, forces separation of the two componentsthus releasing or at least reducing the engagement between the magnets.

The disclosure provides, in one implementation, a container comprising areceptacle and a cap for engagement with the receptacle. The receptaclehas an interior volume, an access aperture providing access to theinterior volume, an abutment surface around the access aperture, and afirst magnetic portion present on the abutment surface. The caprepeatedly provides and inhibits access to the interior volume, the caphaving a second magnetic portion having an opposite polarity than thefirst magnetic portion. One of the receptacle or the cap has at leastone cam feature and the other of the receptacle or cap has at least onerecess for each cam feature for receiving the cam feature.

This disclosure also provides, in one implementation, a containercomprising a receptacle and cap for engagement with the receptacle. Thereceptacle has an access aperture providing access to an interior volumeof the receptacle, the receptacle further having a first magneticportion at an abutment surface of the receptacle. The cap has a secondmagnetic portion at an abutment surface of the cap, the cap and thereceptacle forming a seal when the abutment surface of the cap is heldin contact with the abutment surface of the receptacle by an attractivemagnetic force between the first magnetic portion and the secondmagnetic portion. Rotation of the cap in relation to the receptaclemechanically separates the abutment surface of the cap from the abutmentsurface of the receptacle, decreasing the attractive magnetic forcebetween the first magnetic portion and the second magnetic portion andbreaking the seal.

This disclosure also provides, in one implementation, a containercomprising a receptacle and a cap for engagement with the receptacle.The receptacle has an interior volume, an access aperture providingaccess to the interior volume, an abutment surface around the accessaperture, and a first magnetic portion present on the abutment surface.The cap repeatedly provides and inhibits access to the interior volume,and has a male portion extending from the cap, the male portionreceivable into the access aperture of the receptacle, and a secondmagnetic portion present around the male portion, the second magneticportion having an opposite polarity than the first magnetic portion.

This disclosure also provides a method for closing a container, themethod including aligning a first magnetic portion of a first componentof the container to an opposing second magnetic portion of a secondcomponent of the container with opposite polarity, aligning a structuralfeature, such as a cam feature, in the first component to a recess inthe second component, slideably attaching the first component to thesecond component via magnetic forces between the first magnetic portionand the opposing second magnetic portion, and receiving the structuralfeature into the recess. The disclosure also provides a method foropening the container.

This disclosure also provides a method for closing a container having areceptacle and a cap. The method includes aligning a male portion of thecap with an access aperture of the receptacle, the access apertureproviding access to an interior volume of the receptacle, the receptaclehaving a first magnetic portion around the access aperture and the caphaving a second magnetic portion around the male portion, inserting themale portion at least partially into the interior volume, and thusattaching the cap to the receptacle via magnetic forces between thefirst magnetic portion and the second magnetic portion to provide a sealbetween the cap and the receptacle. The disclosure also provides amethod for opening the container.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescriptions. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. These andvarious other features and advantages will be apparent from a reading ofthe following Detailed Descriptions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWING

The described technology is best understood from the following DetailedDescription describing various implementations read in connection withthe accompanying drawing.

FIG. 1 is perspective view of an example cosmetic container.

FIG. 2A is an exploded perspective view of an example cosmeticcontainer; FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the collar of the cosmeticcontainer.

FIG. 3A is an exploded perspective view of another example cosmeticcontainer; FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional side view of the cosmeticcontainer.

FIG. 4A is an exploded perspective view of another example of a cosmeticcontainer; FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional side view of the cosmeticcontainer; FIG. 4C is a top plan view of a continuous magnet havingalternating polarities.

FIG. 5A is an exploded perspective view of an example cosmeticcontainer; FIG. 5B is a perspective view of a collar of the cosmeticcontainer; FIG. 5C is a plan view of the top of collar; FIG. 5D is aperspective view of an inner cap of the cosmetic container; FIG. 5E is aplan view of the side of the inner cap.

FIG. 6A is an exploded perspective view of another example cosmeticcontainer; FIG. 6B is a plan view of the side of a collar of thecosmetic container; FIG. 6C is a plan view of the top of the collar;FIG. 6D is a plan view of the side of an inner cap of the cosmeticcontainer; FIG. 6E is a plan view of the bottom of the inner cap.

FIG. 7A is a plan view of the side of a collar of another examplecosmetic container; FIG. 7B is a plan view of the top of the collar;FIG. 7C is a plan view of the side of an inner cap of the cosmeticcontainer; FIG. 7D is a plan view of the bottom of the inner cap.

FIG. 8A is a plan view of the side of a collar of another examplecosmetic container; FIG. 8B is a plan view of the top of the collar;FIG. 8C is a plan view of the side of an inner cap of the cosmeticcontainer; FIG. 8D is a plan view of the bottom of the inner cap.

FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of another examplecosmetic container.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for an example method of closing a container.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for an example method of opening a container.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for another example method of closing acontainer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As indicated above, containers, such as cosmetic containers may includetwo components that attach to one another for closure, where onecomponent has an applicator for applying the cosmetic that is receivedin the other component, with the two components joinable at a closure.Upon opening the cosmetic container, as one component is disengaged fromthe other component, an applicator, such as for lip gloss, may be pulledout of the one component with product on the applicator for use.

The disclosed technology includes a container that may be used forstoring various cosmetic products, such as lip gloss, mascara, eyeliner, eye shadow, concealer, creams, or gels. In some implementations,the container may be used for non-cosmetic products, such as dental ororal care products, skin ointments, glue, touch-up paint, ink, paste,oils, etc. Typically, the product stored within the container is aliquid, semi-liquid, paste, gel, etc., although depending on the productand the configuration of the container, the product may be a solid,e.g., in powder form.

The cosmetic container includes a first component (e.g., a receptacle)including a body to receive the cosmetic product and a first magneticportion, and a second component including a cap to provide access to thecosmetic product in the receptacle and also inhibit access to thecosmetic product, and a second magnetic portion configured to releasablyengage with the first magnetic portion. The first component and thesecond component, when engaged via the first magnetic portion with thesecond magnetic portion, have a magnetic seal therebetween, in someimplementations a fluid-tight seal. The first component and the secondcomponent are configured to have the first component (e.g., receptacle)receiving a portion of the second component (e.g., the cap); thecomponents can be referred to as having a male/female relationship, withthe first component (e.g., receptacle) being the female component,receiving therein a portion of the second, male, component (e.g., cap).

The container can be referred to as a vial, tub, jar, cup, or any othercontainer having two components that retains a liquid, semi-liquid, gel,paste, gel, cream or other form of cosmetic therein. These containersconventionally have a threaded or screwed attachment between the twocomponents. However the magnetic seal formed by the first magneticportion and the second magnetic portion of this disclosure, togetherwith additional, optional elements, provides a fluid-tight seal withouta mechanical engagement such as threads. Due to the magnetic closurefeatures, in some implementations, the cosmetic container does not needor have a neck, e.g., on the receptacle. In contrast, for a cosmeticcontainer that includes a screw top with threads, a neck is required.

As indicated above, the container includes a first component thatcontains and retains the cosmetic product and a second component thatrepeatedly provides access to and inhibits (e.g., closes) access to thecosmetic product. In some implementations, the cosmetic containerincludes a first component (receptacle) having a body with an interiorvolume to receive the cosmetic product, a collar including a wiper, anda first magnetic portion, and a second component including a cap, anapplicator, and a second magnetic portion configured to releasablyengage with the first magnetic portion. The first magnetic portion andthe second magnetic portion provide a strong and controlled closure ofthe cosmetic container; the male/female engagement of the cap andreceptacle may increase the strength of the magnetic closure seal. Themagnetic portions, in some implementations, may provide a “click” or“snap”, indicating that the components are aligned and sealed.

Magnets form a circuit between poles of opposite polarity (e.g., northpoles and south poles), with magnetic flux from one pole seeking theopposite pole. Flux lines seek the lowest energy path from one pole tothe other pole, e.g., from north to south poles. An entire magnet mayhave one polarity. Alternately, patterns of polarity can be engineeredon a surface of a magnet to control the shape of the circuit and thepath of the magnetic flux.

Either of the magnetic portions on the cosmetic container can be asingle magnet or a plurality of individual magnets, e.g., evenly spaced.The magnets may be any conventional magnet, e.g., iron, iron alloy,nickel, cobalt, rare earth magnet, etc. Examples of rare earth magnetsinclude SmCo and NdFeB. The magnets may be smart, programmed, orengineered magnets (e.g., Polymagnet®), including those having patternsof alternating polarity. In an engineered magnet, a series of magneticpatterns focus magnetic energy to produce greater holding forces anddirect magnetic energy to create magnets with alignment, spring, orlatch features. The magnets may have any suitable shape including, e.g.,square, triangular, elongate, circular, and annular. As one example,circular magnets of 1.8 mm may be used.

Neodymium-based magnets (e.g., NdFeB) have their strength correlated tothe material grade of the magnet, which is reported as “N”. Neodymiummagnets of 27N to 52N may be used for the cosmetic containers of thisdisclosure, although in some implementations ranges of 35N to 48N, inother implementations 40N to 45N, may be used.

In some engineered magnets, a positive force moves the magnets closer toeach other and a negative force moves the magnets away from each other.Thus, misalignment of the magnets creates displacement as the negativeforce repels the magnets. The self-aligning features provide a strongermagnet in a limited volume and a controlled closure as the firstcomponent and the second component come together. Such magnets may beutilized in the first component and the second component of the cosmeticcontainer to control alignment and facilitate opening and closing inspecific orientations.

The magnets provide the cosmetic container with a self-aligningenclosure. The self-aligning enclosure may be facilitated by themagnetic forces of the first magnetic portion and the second magneticportion holding the first component (receptacle) and the secondcomponent (cap) together only under specific orientations. For example,as a container is being closed by a user, a first magnet on a firstcomponent may self-align to an opposing second magnet on a secondcomponent of opposite polarity. If a user is attempting to close acosmetic container by aligning a first magnet on the first component toan opposing second magnet of the same polarity on the second component,the enclosure will not align, as the magnets may repel the firstcomponent and the second opponent away from each other.

In some implementations, the magnetic field strength of the firstmagnetic portion and/or the second magnetic portion is at least 10 kOe,in some implementations at least 11 kOe, and in other implementations atleast 13 kOe.

In the following description, reference is made to the accompanyingdrawing that forms a part hereof and in which is shown by way ofillustration at least one specific implementation. The followingdescription provides additional specific implementations. It is to beunderstood that other implementations are contemplated and may be madewithout departing from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure.The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in alimiting sense. While the present disclosure is not so limited, anappreciation of various aspects of the disclosure will be gained througha discussion of the examples, including the figures, provided below. Insome instances, a reference numeral may have an associated sub-labelconsisting of a lower-case letter to denote one of multiple similarcomponents. When reference is made to a reference numeral withoutspecification of a sub-label, the reference is intended to refer to allsuch multiple similar components.

Referring to FIG. 1, a generally rectangular cosmetic container 100 isshown, the container 100 having a receptacle 110 and a cap 120 removableand replaceable from the receptacle 110 for providing and inhibitingaccess to the interior of the receptacle 110, both the receptacle 110and the cap 120 having a rectangular (e.g., square) cross-sectionalshape. The receptacle 110 has a body 112 defining an interior volume 114for receiving a product, e.g., a cosmetic, therein and includes anaccess 115 for providing access to the interior volume 114. Thereceptacle 110 has a first magnetic portion 116 of a magnetic sealingsystem, which is described in detail below. The cap 120 has an outerportion 122 by which a user can grasp the cap 120, an applicator wand124 extending from the cap, and a second magnetic portion 126 of themagnetic sealing system. When the receptacle 110 and the cap 120 areengaged, with the wand 124 of the cap 120 inserted into the interiorvolume 114 of the receptacle 110 (thus, the cap 120 being a malestructure being received in the female receptacle 110), the firstmagnetic portion 116 and the second magnetic portion 126 of the magneticsealing system releasably engage with each other, and together withother features discussed below, provide a fluid-tight seal between thereceptacle 110 and the cap 120.

Turning to FIG. 2A and to FIG. 2B, an exploded view of a rectangularcosmetic container 200, having a square cross-sectional shape andsimilar to the cosmetic container 100 of FIG. 1, is shown.

The container 200 has a receptacle 210 having a body 212 defining aninterior volume (not seen in FIG. 2A or FIG. 2B), a collar 214 having anaccess aperture providing access to the interior volume, an abutmentsurface 216, and a wiper insert 218. The wiper 218 can have a tapered,e.g., cone-shaped component built into the wiper 218 to control theamount of product that is transported out of the interior volume. Thewiper 218 may also assist in sealing the cosmetic container for airtightness. The receptacle 210 includes, in this implementation as partof the collar 214, a first magnetic portion 230 of a magnetic sealingsystem present on the abutment surface 216.

The container 200 also has a cap 220 that is repeatedly removable andreplaceable onto the receptacle 210 to provide access to (e.g., open),and to inhibit access to (e.g., close), the interior volume of thereceptacle 210. The cap 220, in FIG. 2A, includes an outer cap 222, aninner cap 223 and an applicator wand 224 extending from the caps222/223. The interior volume of the receptacle 210 receives a rodportion of the applicator wand 224 during use and houses the rod portionin a closed position. The applicator wand 224 may have a brush, pad,bristles, teeth, or similar component on the end thereof. The inner cap223 may be, e.g., adhesively adhered to, be connected via a frictionfit, or mechanically interlocked with the outer cap 222. Connection ofthe applicator wand 224 to the caps 222/223 is via a plug 226 configuredto seat against the abutment surface 216 of the collar 214 andoptionally the wiper 218 of the receptacle 210 to form a seal. The plug226 has a greater diameter than the wiper 218 and may be rigid (e.g., ahard plastic) or may be compressible (e.g., foam or rubber).

During use, as the applicator wand 224 is axially withdrawn from thereceptacle 210 through the collar 214 and the wiper 218, the wiper 218may remove excess cosmetic product from the wand 224 to decrease theamount of product being withdrawn, e.g., to provide an approximate doseand/or to inhibit potential splattering of the product; the wiper 218may be rigid (e.g., a hard plastic) or may be compressible (e.g., foamor rubber). The cap 220 also includes, in this implementation as part ofthe inner cap 223, a second magnetic portion 240 of the magnetic sealingsystem; it is noted that the second magnetic portion 240 is not readilyseen in this view of the cap 220.

The first magnetic portion 230 of the receptacle 210 and the secondmagnetic portion 240 of the cap 220 form the magnetic sealing system ofthe container 200. The plug 226 of the cap 220, when in contact with theabutment surface 216 and optionally with the wiper 218, may improve thesealing system. The wiper 218 may assist in sealing the cosmeticcontainer for fluid tightness, e.g., by having the plug 226 seat againstand optionally seat at least partially into the center volume of thewiper 218, in a male (plug 226)-female (wiper 218) relationship.Together, the magnetic portions 230, 240 and the wiper 218 and/or theplug 226 provide a sealing system that, when engaged, provides afluid-tight seal.

Each of the first magnetic portion 230 and the second magnetic portion240 includes at least one magnet, in this implementation of container200 each of the first magnetic portion 230 and the second magneticportion 240 includes four magnets equally distributed around the collar214 and the cap 220. FIG. 2B illustrates the collar 214 of thereceptacle 210, detailing the first magnetic portion 230, which has fourindividual magnets; in FIG. 2B, four individual receptacles 233 a, 233b, 233 c, 233 d are shown in the collar 214, each receptacle 233 forreceiving a magnet 232 therein. The receptacle 233 is such that a magnet232 seated therein is flush with the abutment surface 216. The secondmagnetic portion 240 on the cap 220 also includes four magnets 242 (twoof which are seen in FIG. 2A), positioned in the inner cap 223 to bealigned with the magnets 232 when the square cap 220 is properlypositioned in relation to the square receptacle 210 with the cornersaligned.

The magnets 232 can have an opposite polarity (e.g., positive polarityversus negative polarity; e.g., north polarity versus south polarity)than the magnets 242 in the cap 220, to provide an attractive forcebetween the receptacle 210 and the cap 220; in some implementations, atleast 10 kOe. This force between the magnets of the first magneticportion 230 and the second magnetic portion 240 is sufficiently strongto hold the cap 220 onto the receptacle 210, in a fluid-tightconfiguration, when the magnets 232 are aligned with the magnets 242 inthe cap 220. Having the corners of the square cap 220 aligned with thecorners of the square receptacle 210 confirms the magnets of the cap areproperly aligned with the magnets on the receptacle. If desired, themagnetic portions 230, 240 can be configured to allow a limited numberof connection orientations, e.g., one or two, to provide for alignmentor orientation of indicia on the cap 220 in relation to the receptacle210.

To open the container 200, the cap 220 can merely be pulled axially awayfrom the receptacle 210, thus breaking the attraction between themagnets. Alternately, the cap 220 and/or the receptacle 210 can berotated in relation to the other, thus tangentially displacing themagnets of the receptacle 210 from the magnets of the cap 220 anddecreasing the attraction between the magnets so that the cap 220 can bereadily pulled away from the receptacle 210. This rotation may be, e.g.,an eighth turn (45 degrees). A quarter turn (90 degrees) will engage themagnet at the next corner, thus, any rotation at quarter turn incrementswill not release the cap.

In an implementation not illustrated, present between the magnets 232 onthe receptacle 210 may be additional magnets of the opposite polarity.For example, if the magnets 232 on the receptacle 210 have a positivepolarity, the corresponding magnets 242 on the cap 220 will have anegative polarity in order to be attractive to the magnets 232. Theadditional magnets (present between the magnets 232) will also have anegative polarity, so that as the cap 220 is rotated, those magnets onthe cap will encounter the repulsive force of the same-polarity magnets,thus pushing the cap 220 away from the collar 214 and facilitating theremoval of the cap 220 from the receptacle 210.

Turning to FIG. 3A and to FIG. 3B, an exploded view of a cylindricalcosmetic container 300 having a circular cross-sectional shape is shown.

Similar to the previous implementations, the container 300 has areceptacle 310 having a body 312 defining an interior volume 313 (FIG.3B), a collar 314 having an access providing aperture to the interiorvolume, an abutment surface 316, and a wiper insert 318. In thisimplementation, extending from the abutment surface 316 is a neck 317that receives the wiper insert 318. The receptacle 310 includes, in thisimplementation as part of the collar 314 on the abutment surface 316, afirst magnetic portion 330 having at least one magnet 332. In thisimplementation, four magnets 332 are present and are seated inreceptacles 333 in the abutment surface 316.

The container 300 also has a cap 320 that is repeatedly removable andreplaceable onto the receptacle 310 to provide access to (e.g., open),and to inhibit access to (e.g., close), the interior volume of thereceptacle 310. The cap 320 includes a cap 322 and an applicator wand324 with a plug 326 extending from the cap 322. The plug 326 isconfigured to seat against and at least partially into wiper 318, thusproviding a male-female interaction between the cap 320 and thereceptacle 310. The cap 320 also includes a second magnetic portion 340of a magnetic sealing system having at least one magnet 342. In thisimplementation, four magnets 342 are present.

The magnets 342 of the second magnetic portion 340 have an oppositepolarity from the magnets 332 of the first magnetic portion 330 in orderto provide attractive forces therebetween to form the magnetic sealingsystem of the container 300. The plug 326 of the cap 320, when incontact with the wiper 318, may improve the sealing system. Together,the magnetic portions 330, 340 and the wiper 318 provide a sealingsystem that, when engaged, provides a fluid-tight seal.

As with the container 200, to open the container 300, the cap 320 canmerely be pulled axially away from the receptacle 310, thus breaking theattraction between the magnets 332, 342. Alternately, the cap 320 and/orthe receptacle 310 can be rotated in relation to the other, thustangentially displacing the magnets of the receptacle 310 from themagnets of the cap 320 and decreasing the attraction between the magnetsso that the cap 320 can be readily pulled away from the receptacle 310.

Another exploded view of a cylindrical cosmetic container 400 having acircular cross-sectional shape is shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. Similar tothe cylindrical container 300, the container 400 has a receptacle 410having a body 412 defining an interior volume 413 (FIG. 4B), a collar414 having an access 415 providing access to the interior volume, anabutment surface 416, and a wiper insert 418. The receptacle 410includes, in this implementation as part of the collar 414 on theabutment surface 416, a first magnetic portion 430 having at least onemagnet 432. In this implementation, one magnet 432 is present and seatedin the abutment surface 416. The magnet 432 is circular or annular,extending continuously and contiguously around the access 415.

The container 400 also has a cap 420 that is repeatedly removable andreplaceable onto the receptacle 410. The cap 420 includes an outer cap422, an inner cap 423 and an applicator wand 424 with a plug 426extending from the caps 422/423. The cap 420 also includes a secondmagnetic portion 440 having at least one magnet 442. In thisimplementation, one circular magnet 442 is present, extendingcontinuously and contiguously around the wand 424.

The magnet 442 of the cap 420 has an opposite polarity from the magnet432 of the receptacle 410, in order to provide attractive forcestherebetween to form the magnetic sealing system of the container 400.The plug 426 of the cap 420, when in contact with the wiper 418, mayimprove the sealing system. Together, the magnetic portions 430, 440 andthe wiper 418 provide a sealing system that, when engaged, provides afluid-tight seal.

To open the container 400, the cap 420 can merely be pulled axially awayfrom the receptacle 410, thus breaking the attraction between themagnets 432, 442; this is the preferred method for opening the container400 if magnets 432, 442 have opposite, and thus attracting, polaritiesthe entire length of the magnets 432,442. Rotation of the magnets 432,442 in relation to each other will not decrease the attractiontherebetween, because the magnets 432, 442 have a continuous, oppositepolarity the entire length of the magnets 432, 442. However, for thoseimplementations where the magnets 432, 442 do not have the same polaritythe entire length of the magnet 432, 442 (but rather, each magnet 432,442 has both polarities present), rotation of the cap 420 in relation tothe receptacle 410 will result in repulsive forces, thus pushing the cap420 away from the collar 414 and the receptacle 410 and facilitatingremoval of the cap 420 from the receptacle 410. FIG. 4C illustrates animplementation of a magnet 450 (e.g., either or both magnets 432, 442)having both polarities present. The magnet 450 may be a smart (e.g.,Polymagnet®), programmed, or engineered magnet.

FIGS. 5 through 8 provide implementations of cosmetic containers havinga magnetic sealing system as described in the examples above, with theaddition of a physical structure to facilitate removal of the cap fromthe receptacle. The physical structural may a cam feature, a tooth, adetent, a protrusion, a tab, or other such extending structure.

Either of the receptacle or the cap may include at least one cam featureand the other of the receptacle or the cap may include at least onerecess or cavity for each cam feature present. For example, a collar ofthe receptacle may include a plurality of recesses or cavitiesconfigured to receive a plurality of cam features present on the cap,e.g., inner cap. In some implementations, there may be two, four or fivecam features, but other numbers are contemplated depending on theimplementation and the size of the cap and the collar.

The cam features and recesses assist in alignment of the cap andreceptacle to facilitate easier, more calculated closure, and also toallow for ease of opening the cosmetic container when the receptacleand/or the cap are rotated or twisted by the user. As at least one ofthe components (receptacle or cap) is twisted, the at least one camfeature will come out of the at least one recess and be level with theabutment surface of the collar or a surface of the cap (depending onwhich component the cam feature is located) and cause the cap andreceptacle to separate. Once removed from the recess, the cam featurewill create a space or gap (e.g., a gap of approximately 1 mm) betweenthe cap and the receptacle, which will make it easier for a user to pullthe two components away from each other against the magnetic force ofthe magnetic sealing system.

In FIG. 5A, an exploded view of a rectangular cosmetic container 500,having a square cross-sectional shape is shown. Referring to all ofFIGS. 5A through 5E, the container 500 has a receptacle 510 having abody 512 defining an interior volume (not seen), a collar 514 having anaccess 515 providing access to the interior volume, an abutment surface516 and a wiper 518. The receptacle 510 includes, as part of the collar514, a first magnetic portion 530 of a magnetic sealing system presenton the abutment surface 516. As best seen in FIGS. 5B and 5C, the collar514 has at least one receptacle 533 for a magnet, particularly, fourreceptacles 533 a, 533 b, 533 c, 533 d, each for a magnet, are presentin the corners of the square shape.

The container 500 also has a cap 520 that is repeatedly removable andreplaceable onto the receptacle 510 to provide access to (e.g., open),and to inhibit access to (e.g., close), the interior volume of thereceptacle 510. The cap 520, in FIG. 5A, includes an outer cap 522, aninner cap 523, an applicator wand 524 and a plug 526. The cap 520 alsoincludes a second magnetic portion 540 of a magnetic sealing system. Asbest seen in FIGS. 5D and 5E, the inner cap 523 has an abutment surface546 having at least one receptacle 535 for a magnet, particularly, fourreceptacles 535 a, 535 b, 535 c, 535 d, each for a magnet, present inthe corners of the square shaped inner cap 523.

The receptacle 510 and the cap 520 further include at least one camfeature 550 to facilitate the remove of the cap 520 from the receptacle510. Seen in FIGS. 5D and 5E, the cap 520 includes two cam features 550a, 550 b; in this particular example, the cam features 550 arebidirectional, each cam feature 550 having a first sloped surface 552 aand a second sloped surface 552 b. The sloped surfaces 552 are linear;in other implementations, the sloped surfaces of the cam feature may benon-linear. To provide a close seal between the abutment surface 516 ofthe receptacle 510 and the abutment surface 546 of the cap 520 when themagnetic portions 530, 540 are engaged, the collar 514 includes a recess560, specifically a first recess 560 a and a second recess 560 b (FIGS.5B and 5C) to receive the cam features 550 a, 550 b therein. There is atleast one recess 560 for each cam feature 550. In the implementation ofthe container 500, there are two cam features 550 and two recesses 560opposite each other; thus, the receptacle 510 and the cap 520 willsealing join at only two positions (e.g., 180 degrees from each other).In an alternate implementation, a receptacle and cap with four evenlyspaced cam features and four evenly spaced recesses, at 90 degrees toeach other, will sealing join at four positions (e.g., every 90degrees).

To open the container 500, the cap 520 can merely be pulled axially awayfrom the receptacle 510, as in other implementations, thus breaking themagnetic attraction between the magnets of the receptacle 510 and thecap 520. Preferably however, the cap 520 and/or the receptacle 510 arerotated in relation to the other, thus tangentially displacing themagnets of the receptacle 510 from the magnets of the cap 520 anddecreasing the attraction between the magnets so that the cap 520 can bereadily pulled away from the receptacle 510. Further rotation of the cap520 and/or the receptacle 510 pushes the cap 520 and the receptacle 510apart, as the sloped surface 552 a or 552 b of the cam features 550slides out from the recess 560 to unseat the cam features 550 from therecess 560 and thus ride on the abutment surface 516.

FIGS. 6A through 6E show a cylindrical cosmetic container 600, having acircular cross-sectional shape. Similar to previous examples, thecontainer 600 has a receptacle 610 having a body 612 defining aninterior volume (not seen), a collar 614 having an access 615 providingaccess to the interior volume, an abutment surface 616, a neck 617 and awiper 618. The receptacle 610 includes, as part of the collar 614 on theabutment surface 616, a first magnetic portion 630 of a magnetic sealingsystem. As best seen in FIG. 6A, the collar 614 has at least one magnet632, in this implementation, one continuous annular magnet 632.

The container 600 also has a cap 620 that is repeatedly removable andreplaceable onto the receptacle 610 to provide access to (e.g., open),and to inhibit access to (e.g., close), the interior volume of thereceptacle 610. The cap 620, in FIG. 6A, includes an outer cap 622, aninner cap 623, an applicator wand 624 and a plug 626. The cap 620 alsoincludes a second magnetic portion 640 of a magnetic sealing system. Asbest seen in FIG. 6A, the inner cap 623 has at least one magnet 642,particularly, one annular magnet 642 extending around the applicator 624and the plug 626, seated in the inner cap 623.

The receptacle 610 and the cap 620 further include at least one camfeature to facilitate the remove of the cap 620 from the receptacle 610.Seen in FIGS. 6B and 6C, the collar 614 includes a bidirectional camfeature 650 having a first sloped surface 652 a and a second slopedsurface 652 b. To provide a close seal between the magnet 632 and themagnet 642 when the magnetic seal is engaged, the cap 620 includes arecess 660 (FIGS. 6D and 6E) in the abutment surface 646 to receive thecam feature 650 therein. In the implementation of the container 600,there is only one cam feature 650 and one recess 660; thus, thereceptacle 610 and the cap 620 will sealing join at only one position.

Similar to the container 500, to open the container 600, the cap 620 canmerely be pulled axially away from the receptacle 610, as in otherimplementations, thus breaking the magnetic attraction between themagnets 632, 642. Preferably however, the cap 620 and/or the receptacle610 are rotated in relation to the other, pushing the abutment surface646 of the cap 620 and the abutment surface 616 of the receptacle 610apart as the sloped surface 652 a or 652 b of the cam feature 650 slidesout from the recess 660 to unseat the cam feature 650 from the recess660.

FIGS. 7A through 7D show an implementation of a cylindrical container(having a circular cross-section) having more than one cam feature.FIGS. 7A and 7B show a collar 714 having at least one cam feature 750 onan abutment surface 716, particularly, four cam features 750, and FIGS.7C and 7D show an inner cap 723 having at least one recess 760 in anabutment surface 746 for each cam feature 750.

FIGS. 8A through 8D show an alternate implementation of a cylindricalcontainer (having a circular cross-section) having more than one camfeature. FIGS. 8A and 8B show a collar 814 having at least one camfeature 850, particularly, six cam features 850, in an abutment surface816 and FIGS. 8C and 8D show an inner cap 823 having at least one recess860 in an abutment surface 846 for each cam feature 850.

Referring to FIG. 9, an alternate implementation of a cosmetic container900 is shown, the container 900 having a receptacle 910 and a cap 920removable and replaceable from the receptacle 910 for providing andinhibiting access to the interior of the receptacle 910. Although notdiscernible from the view of FIG. 9, the receptacle 910 and the cap 920may have a, e.g., rectangular (e.g., square) shape or a circular shapewhen viewed from the top or bottom of the container 900.

The receptacle 910 has a body 912 defining an interior volume 914 forreceiving a product, e.g., a cosmetic, therein and includes an access915 for providing access to the interior volume 914. The cap 920includes a depending portion 924 than fits within the access 915. Thereceptacle 910 has a first magnetic portion 930 of a magnetic sealingsystem, and the cap 920 has second magnetic portion 940 of the magneticsealing system. The magnetic portions 930, 940 are configured so thatwhen the cap 920 is seated in and on the receptacle 910, the dependingportion 924 of the cap 920 seats within the access 915 and into theinterior volume 914 of the receptacle 910 (thus, the cap 920 is a malestructure being received in the female receptacle 910). The firstmagnetic portion 930 and the second magnetic portion 940 of the magneticsealing system releasably engage with each other, and together withother features, provide a fluid-tight seal between the receptacle 910and the cap 920. In this particular implementation, the first magneticportion 930 and the second magnetic portion 940 are each present onthree abutting surfaces of their respective component. In otherimplementations, the magnetic portions 930, 940 may be present on two ofthe abutting surfaces or only on one of the abutting surfaces.

The first magnetic portion 930 and the second magnetic portion 940 ofthe container 900 may include any of the features described above in anyof the previous container examples. For example, the container 900 mayinclude at least one cam feature on one of the receptacle 910 or the cap920 and at least one recess for each cam feature, the recess being onthe other of the receptacle 910 and the cap 920. As another example, thefirst magnetic portion 930 and/or the second magnetic portion 940 mayhave one magnet (e.g., an annular magnet) or may have multiple magnets.

Although various specific examples and implementations of cosmeticcontainers have been shown and described, it is understood that themagnetic sealing system can be implemented in other containers. Forexample, the cap and the receptacle may have different cross-sectionalshapes, e.g., circular receptacle with a square cap. As another example,the cap and receptacle may have a different overall diameter, e.g., thereceptacle having a larger diameter than the cap.

FIG. 10 provides, in a stepwise manner, a method 1000 for closing acontainer having a magnetic sealing system, such as described above;particularly, the method 1000 provides for seating and sealing the firstcomponent and the second component. An operation 1002 aligns a firstmagnetic portion of a first component of a cosmetic container to anopposing second magnetic portion of a second component of the cosmeticcontainer with opposite polarity. An operation 1004 aligns a cam featurein the first component to a recess in the second component. An operation1006 slideably attaches the first component to the second component viamagnetic forces between the first magnetic portion and the opposingsecond magnetic portion. An operation 1008 inserts the cam feature intothe recess, thus seating and sealing the first component and the secondcomponent.

FIG. 11 provides, in a stepwise manner, a method 1100 for opening acontainer having a magnetic sealing system, such as described above. Themethod 1100 begins by having a sealed container, the container having afirst component and a second component, with each of the first componentand the second component having a magnetic portion of a magnetic sealingsystem. An operation 1102 rotates the first component with respect tothe second component. An operation 1104 dislodges a cam feature in thefirst component out of a recess in the second component, e.g., toward atop surface of a collar. An operation 1106 disrupts the magnetic forcesbetween the first magnetic portion and the opposing second magneticportion. An operation 1108 separates the first component from the secondcomponent.

In some implementations, a first magnet of the first component may bealigned to a third magnet in the second component of same polarityresponsive to rotating the first component with respect to the secondcomponent. Such orientation would further facilitate separating thefirst component from the second component.

FIG. 12 provides, in a stepwise manner, a method 1200 for closing acontainer having a magnetic sealing system, such as described above, thecontainer having a cap with a male portion and a receptacle thatreceives the male portion; particularly, the method 1200 provides forsealing the cap and the receptacle. An operation 1202 aligns a maleportion of the cap of a cosmetic container with an access aperture ofthe receptacle, the receptacle having a first magnetic portion aroundthe access aperture and the cap having a second magnetic portion aroundthe male portion. An operation 1204 inserts the male portion at leastpartially into the interior volume of the receptacle. An operation 1206attaches the cap to the receptacle via magnetic forces between the firstmagnetic portion and the opposing second magnetic portion, thusproviding a seal between the cap and the receptacle.

The above specification and examples provide a complete description ofthe structure and use of exemplary implementations of the invention.Since many implementations of the invention can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention, the inventionresides in the claims hereinafter appended. Furthermore, structuralfeatures of the different implementations may be combined in yet otherimplementations without departing from the recited claims. The abovedetailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense.While the present disclosure is not so limited, an appreciation ofvarious aspects of the disclosure will be gained through a discussion ofthe examples provided.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing feature sizes,amounts, and physical properties are to be understood as being modifiedby the term “about,” whether or not the term “about” is immediatelypresent. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, any numericalparameters set forth are approximations that can vary depending upon thedesired properties sought to be obtained by those skilled in the artutilizing the teachings disclosed herein.

As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” encompassimplementations having plural referents, unless the content clearlydictates otherwise. As used in this specification and the appendedclaims, the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including“and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

Since many implementations of the invention can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention, the inventionresides in the claims hereinafter appended. Furthermore, structuralfeatures of the different implementations may be combined in yet anotherimplementation without departing from the recited claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A container comprising: a receptacle including anaccess aperture providing access to an interior volume, an abutmentsurface around the access aperture, and a first magnetic portion presenton the abutment surface of the receptacle; and a cap having an abutmentsurface and configured to engage with the receptacle, the cap includinga male portion extending from the cap receivable through the accessaperture, the cap further including a second magnetic portion presentaround the male portion, the receptacle and the cap forming a seal tothe interior volume when an attractive magnetic force between the firstmagnetic portion and the second magnetic portion pulls the abutmentsurfaces into contact, wherein one of the abutment surfaces includes atleast one cam feature and the other abutment surface includes at leastone recess for each cam feature in which to receive the at least one camfeature.
 2. The container of claim 1, wherein the male portion includesan applicator wand extending from the cap and a plug on the applicatorwand having a greater diameter than the applicator wand.
 3. Thecontainer of claim 2, wherein the receptacle comprises a collar aroundthe access aperture through which the applicator wand inserts into theinterior volume, the plug and the collar forming the seal to theinterior volume when the attractive magnetic force between the firstmagnetic portion and the second magnetic portion pulls the abutmentsurfaces into contact.
 4. The container of claim 3, wherein thereceptacle further comprises a wiper in the collar around the accessaperture through which the applicator wand inserts into the interiorvolume.
 5. The container of claim 1, wherein the first magnetic portioncomprises an annular magnet around the access aperture and the secondmagnetic portion comprises an annular magnet.
 6. The container of claim1, wherein each of the first magnetic portion and the second magneticportion comprises a plurality of individual magnets.
 7. The container ofclaim 6, wherein each of the first magnetic portion and the secondmagnetic portion comprises four magnets.
 8. The container of claim 1,wherein rotation of the cap in relation to the receptacle mechanicallyseparates the abutment surface of the cap from the abutment surface ofthe receptacle.
 9. The container of claim 1, wherein the abutmentsurface of the receptacle includes the at least one cam feature and theabutment surface of the cap includes the at least one recess for eachcam feature.
 10. The container of claim 1, wherein the abutment surfaceof the cap includes the at least one cam feature and the abutmentsurface of the receptacle includes the at least one recess for each camfeature.
 11. The container of claim 1, wherein the cap and thereceptacle form the seal when the abutment surface of the cap is held incontact with the abutment surface of the receptacle by the attractivemagnetic force, wherein rotation of the cap in relation to thereceptacle mechanically separates the abutment surface of the cap fromthe abutment surface of the receptacle, decreasing the attractivemagnetic force between the first magnetic portion and the secondmagnetic portion and breaking the seal.
 12. A method comprising:aligning a male portion of a cap with an access aperture of areceptacle, the access aperture providing access to an interior volumeof the receptacle, the receptacle having an abutment surface and a firstmagnetic portion around the access aperture and the cap having anabutment surface and a second opposing magnetic portion around the maleportion, wherein one of the abutment surfaces includes at least one camfeature and the other abutment surface includes at least one recess foreach cam feature in which to receive the at least one cam feature;inserting the male portion at least partially into the interior volume;receiving the at least one cam feature in the at least one recess; andattaching the cap to the receptacle via an attractive magnetic forcebetween the first magnetic portion and the second magnetic portion toprovide a seal between the cap and the receptacle.
 13. The method ofclaim 12, wherein: aligning the male portion of the cap comprisesaligning an applicator wand of the cap with the access aperture; andinserting the male portion comprises inserting the applicator wand intothe interior volume.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein: aligning theapplicator wand of the cap with a collar around the access aperture; andinserting the applicator wand into the interior volume through thecollar.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein inserting the applicatorwand into the interior volume comprises: inserting the applicator wandinto the interior volume through a wiper in the collar.
 16. The methodof claim 12 further comprising, after providing the seal: rotating thecap with respect to the receptacle; and withdrawing the male portionfrom the interior volume.
 17. The method of claim 12 further comprising,after providing the seal: rotating the cap with respect to thereceptacle to mechanically separate the cap and the receptacle,decreasing the attractive magnetic force between the first magneticportion and the second magnetic portion and breaking the seal.
 18. Themethod of claim 12 further comprising, after providing the seal:rotating the cap with respect to the receptacle to remove the at leastone cam feature from the at least one recess, mechanically separatingthe cap and the receptacle and breaking the seal.
 19. A containercomprising: a receptacle having an access aperture with a wiperproviding access to an interior volume of the receptacle, the receptaclefurther having a first magnetic portion at an abutment surface aroundthe access aperture; and a cap having an abutment surface and configuredto engage with the receptacle, the cap including an applicator wandextending from the cap receivable through the wiper and the accessaperture, the cap further including a second magnetic portion presentaround the applicator wand, one of the abutment surfaces including atleast one cam feature and the other abutment surface including at leastone recess for each cam feature in which to receive the at least one camfeature, the receptacle and the cap forming a seal to the interiorvolume when an attractive magnetic force between the first magneticportion and the second magnetic portion pulls the abutment surfaces intocontact, wherein rotation of the cap in relation to the receptaclemechanically separates the abutment surface of the cap from the abutmentsurface of the receptacle, decreasing the attractive magnetic forcebetween the first magnetic portion and the second magnetic portion andbreaking the seal.